Counting device



R. E. BROWN COUNTING DEVICE Dec. 9, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1951 RALPH E. snow/v,

INVENTR.

BY 2 f ATTORNEH R. E. BROWN COUNTING DEVICE Dec. 9, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 5, 1951 2 3 T C m m 0 m TH OF CONTACT 29 PATH 0F CONT/16730 7A7`H OF CONTACT 34 R'AL PH E. snow/v,

NVENTOR. 'BY ff// A TTORNEK Dec. 9, 1952 R. E. BROWN 2,520,980

COUNTING DEVICE Filed Feb. 5, 1951 7 sheets-sheet 4 T0 V/S/BLE S/GNAL 5K5' TEM HUNDREDS Amu/v' E. @Row/v,

JNVENTOR.

BY I A TTORNEK R. E. BROWN COUNTING DEVICE Dec. 9, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 5 1951 SMQ D n SQ n Ew HT Dec. 9, 1952 R, E, BROWN 2,620,980

COUNTING DEVICE Filed Feb. 5, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 MEGA T/VE RAL PH E'. BROWN;

IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEK COUNTING DEVICE Filed Feb. 5, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 HUNDREDS TO RECORDER Mg?. Y0@

To NEGA T/l/E /No/CA ToR 7(2) oN RECORDER an) T0 No.5 AUx/L/ARY CONTACT TO ZERO AUX/L/ARY CONTACT T0 /44 CONTACT UNH-s y To Pos/T/VE VALUE AMPS ifo? R PH E BROWN l A 0 7 /ffz ffy* JNVENToR. To /vEcAT/VE VALUE LAMPS ila/fg Patented Dec. 9, 1952 COUNTING DEVICE Ralph E. Brown, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Douglas Aircraft Company, Inc., Santa Monica,

Calif.

Application February 5, 1951, Serial N o. 209,427

(Cl. 23S-92) 22 Claims.

This invention relates to counting or computing devices wherein the changing positions of a master member, for example a rotary member, are translated into corresponding numerical values for use in indicating relative positions of the member as well as magnitudes of movement. For the purpose of disclosure the invention will be described as applied to the measurement of rotation of a master member such as a shaft representing the changing Values of a variable that is to be computed, other applications of the invention being readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

It is contemplated that the invention in its preferred form will be flexible and have a wide range of usefulness in that it may be used either to indicate the derived values by suitable, sensible signals or to feed discrete electrical values to a remote recorder or other device and will be capable of deriving and signaling negative values as well as positive values with reference to some predetermined boundary or starting point.

The present disclosure is addressed largely to the solving of certain problems that must be met to put this general concept into practice, especially problems stemming from the necessity of using physical structure to subdivide movement into units for the purpose of numeration.

The selection of any system of numeration requires that a complete rotation of the master member be considered as divided into a series of equal or aliquot parts representing integers and any random position of the master member must be considered as lying within one of these parts or subdivisions. A computing device designed for the selected system of numeration must employ corresponding structural elements to represent the equal parts, for example a circular series or" electrical segments together with a cooperating means such as an electrical contact, which con- .if

tact by suitably provided relative movement sweeps the series of segments in response to rotation of the master member.

A problem involving structural considerations arises because of two related facts. First, the` sweeping contact must be considered as a dimensionless point whereas the contact face necessarily has dimensions; and, second, the series of segments must be considered as having no spacing whatsoever or as having boundaries without thickness, whereas the individual segments are necessarily spaced apart for the electrical isolation.

If the width of the sweeping contact is less than the spacing of the segments, a random posf tion of the master member may place the sweeping contact in an isolated position between two adjacent segments Without now of operating current through either of the segments. On the other hand, if this difficulty is avoided by using a wider contact, the contact may stop at a position bridging two adjacent segments to register two conflicting values simultaneously.

This problem of making the sweeping contact function in effect as a dimensionless point moving across dimensionless boundaries is solved by introducing at each boundary position of the contact an automatic rapid increment of relative movement across the boundary. While this increment of movement or snap action across the boundary is initiated in response to movement of the master member, it is nevertheless powered and completed independently of such movement once it is initiated. Thus a random rotation of the master member cannot bring the sweeping contact to a stationary position, either between or bridging two adjacent segments, because either the Contact will be shifted by the master member to a stopping point within the area of one segment or will be shifted far enough to initiate the automatic snap action to carry the contact completely across the intervening gap to the next segment. Giving the relative movement of the sweeping contact this either-or characteristic makes the boundary between the segments in effect dimensionless for the purpose of numeration and also solves the problem of using a physical contact member to represent a mathematical point without dimensions.

In carrying out this concept of introducing automatic increments of motion at the segment boundaries, it must be remembered that a computing device of this type comprises a bank of counters each of which has such a series of segments swept by a contact and at certain junctures in the operation of the bank the completion of a traverse of one series of segments by a iinal increment of motion by the associated contact causes, when necessary, a step of advancement to be taken in one or more of the successive higher order counters and, of course, each of these consequent steps must also be taken with an increment of motion or snap action across the segment boundaries. For example, in a computing device designed for our numeration system based on ten digits, wherein three counters are interconnected to represent units, lOs and lOs respectively, adding one unit to the value 99 would necessitate an advance of one step by all three counters to the new value 100. The

sive to the automatic snap action in the adjacent counter of lower order.

In the cooperation between a circular series of segments and the co-acting Contact, the basic advance movement of the contact derived directly from the movement of the master member and the added automatic snap action that is introduced at each segment boundary may combineto forni vario-us resultant movements or patterns of movement. For example, the automatic snap action may be 'in the same direction as the basic advance of the contact relative to the series of segments so that the relative movement of the contact is in one continuous direction but is periodically accelerated across each boundary in that direction. As another example, simple for ward and back reciprocation may be imposed on the basic advance movement so that the contact advances and retreats or at least pauses or slows up within the area of one segment and then advances with a snap action to the next segment.

ln regard to the resultant pattern of move' ment, a feature of the preferred form of the present invention is the concept of using components of movement in two directions, one component being the steady advance of the contact by the master member and the other,y a lateral component, being the automatic increment. The

resultant of these two components is a zig-Zag pattern in which the contact snaps sidewise from one segment to the nest succeeding segment. With the two components 90 apart the lateral component does not affect the progress of the contact in the direction in which it is moved by the master member.

To carry out this concept the segments must overlap with respect to the direction of advance and in the preferred practice oi the i vention a novel circular arrangement ci what may be called Z-shaped segments is employed. To keepVV the lateral increments of motion from having an accumulative erect in displacing the sweeping contact a return increment or" movement is introduced within the area ci each segment. Thus the contact snaps laterally from one segment to another subsequently snaps laterally back Within the area'oi the second segment, each segment being Z-shaped in accord with this concept.

Another problem that is encountered in the use of physical structure to subdivide movement arises at the boundary between positive values and negative values (which is finite in the decimal counting system) since a discrepancy of one unit tends to be introduced in a device of the present type when a 'transition is made at the boundary unless some corrective expedient is introduced. The present invention provides such correction in a simple andv reliable manner with minimum moving. parts by lintroducing a compensating shift in electrical relationships as distinguished from mechanical compensation by actual physical shifting of cooperating parts for this' purpose.

A further aspect of this problem arises at the boundary between negative and positive values inasmuch as the Segments in the circular series necessarily have diiierent digit values in the Y range or" operationV of the device for negative values than in the' range or Voperation ior positive values. rThe segments must be numbered backwards in the negative range. of operation and a complication is introduced by the previously mentioned compensatory shift at the zero point, this compensation in eiect shifting the circular series of segments by one step. The present invention meets this problem by a novel automatic switching arrangement which may best be explained later in describing the specic structure used in the preferred form of the invention,

It would ordinarily be expected that a device as complicated as necessary for computation up to any number oi digits and constructed to incorporate the solutions to the above mentioned problems Would be a large bulky mechanism with an exceedingly large number of moving parts. The present invention, however, is exceptionally com-pact and has but few separately moving parts.

A special feature of the invention is that it is designed for fabrication in what may be called standard counters or commutator units which maybe assembled together in a gang or assembly of any number of interlocking units as may be required to handle summations of any number of digits. Y

The above and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the fol-lowingdetailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, which are to be regarded as merely illustrative,

Figure 1 is a side elevation oi a bank of three counters or counter units Vith all external wiring. and electrical elements omitted for clarity of illustration;`

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken along the axis of the bank as indicated by the line 2 2 oi Figure 1 Figures 3, 4, and 5 are transverse sections taken as indicated by correspondingly numbered section lines 3 3, lii, and 5-5 in Figure 2;

. Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the counter cylinders with a portion of the wall broken away to reveal the construction;

Figure '7 is an exploded view of the electrical segments assembled in the cylinder of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a development of the interior sur"-v face of the counter cylinder of Figure 6'.

Figure 9 is a Wiring diagram showing the electrical relationships incorporated in the bank of counters and their wiring connections to outside circuits;

Figure 10 is a diagram showing how Figures 10a, 10b, and 10c are to be considered as assembled together to make one large diagram; and

Figures 10a, 10b and 10c taken together constitute a wiring diagram of the circuits and electrical elements lying exterior to the bank of counters shown in Figure l.

General arrangement By Way of example, Figures 1 and 2 show the structure of an assembly or bank of counters or commutation units, which bank comprises a unit counter, generally designatedV 26, a 10s counter, generally designated 2|, and a lOOs counter, generally designated 22, these three counters being actuated by an input shaft 25. The input Y shaft 25 may be termed themaster member since it rotates in accord with the changing values Y ofJa variable that is to be computed and by its tive movement. While either of the electrical means may be flxed, preferably the series of segments are in fixed positions to represent the diiferent rotary positions of a shaft that carries the coacting, sweeping contact.

The general arrangement may be understood by referring at this point to the schematic arrangement shown in Figure 9 which will now be discussed.

It is contemplated that the present preferred form of the invention may be used in conjunction either with a numerical recording system or with a visual signal system, or preferably in conjunction with both such systems simultaneously, and, therefore, each of the counters 20, 2 I, and 22 is of dual construction. Thus each counter incorporates a circular series of ten segments generally designated 26 for controlling a recording system and a duplicate circular series of ten segments generally designated 21 for controlling a visible signal system. In each counter, a contact 29 to sweep the series of segments 26 and a second contact 30 to sweep the second series of segments 21 are carried by a shaft 3|. Shaft 3| also carries a third contact 32 that sweeps a continuous contact or contact ring 33, and carries a fourh contact 34 that cooperates with three fixed segments 35, 36, and 31.

In each of the counters, the shaft 3| is mounted for limited longitudinal or axial reciprocation in addition to rotation and reciprocates longitudinally in response to energization of a solenoid coil 40, thereby providing the aforementioned automatic increment of motion or snap action to carry the contacts on the shaft 3| from one segment to another.

Energization of the solenoid coil 4|) in the units counter 20 is controlled by a special set of 10 segments 4| in cooperation with a contact 42, but each of the solenoid coils 40 in the higher order counters 2| and 22 is controlled by the contact 34 and the associated segments 35, 36, and 31 in the next lower counter. Thus the contact 34 in the unit counter 20 cooperating with the associated segments 35, 36, and 31 controls the solenoid coil 40 in the 10s counter 2|, and the contact 34 in the 10s counter 2| cooperating with the associated segments 35 and 36 controls the solenoid coil in the 100s counter 22.

The input shaft or master member 25 drives mechanism to cause relative movement between the contact 42 and the ten special segments 4| and is also directly connected to the shaft 3| of the units counter 26 to cause the first shaft 3| in the series to rotate synchronously with the input shaft. The shaft 3| of the units counter 20 is operatively connected to the shaft 3| of the 10s counter 2| by a series of four gears 43, 44, 45, and 45 to rotate the second shaft 3| at one tenth the speed of the first shaft 3|, since the proposed computation is to be based on the decimal system with the rotation of each counter divided into ten parts. In like manner the second shaft 3l in the second counter 2| is connected to the third shaft 3| in the third counter 22 by a similar set of gears 43-46 to rotate the third shaft in the hundreds counter at one-tenth the rate of the second shaft in the tens counter.

The casing structure enclosing the mechanism of the counter assembly is indicated by dash-dot rectangles in Figure 9 and is shown as grounded at various points to serve as one side of different circuits involved in the electrical operation of the device.

One side of each of the three solenoid coils 46 is connected by a lead 48 from the positive or hot side of a suitable source of current. The negative or grounded side of the source of current is connected to the casing or ground of the counter assembly. The second side of the first coil 40 in the unit counter 20 is connected by a wire 50 to the moving contact 42, the circuit being completed by grounding the ten special contacts 4| as shown. The second side of the second coil -40 in the 10s counter 2| is connected by a wire 5l to the segment 36 in the unit counter and in like manner the second side of the third coil 40 in the 100s counter 22 is connected by a. wire 52 to the segment 36 in the 10s counter 2|.

The circumferential extent of each of the special segments 4| is one-twentieth of a circle or 18 and the spacing between the segments is of the same dimension so that the first solenoid coil 43 is energized for ten equal time periods and de-energized for ten alternate equal time periods in the course of one revolution of the first shaft 3| in the units counter 20. The purpose of the contact 34 and the three segments 35, 35, and 31 in the units counter 23 is to energize and deenergize the second coil 4i! in the 10s counter 2| in the same manner, that is to say, ten times on and ten times off in the course of one rotation of the second shaft 3| in the 10s counter 2 Since the first shaft 3| rotates ten times as fast as the second shaft 3 I, the desired energization of the 10s solenoid coil 40 for one-twentieth of a rotation of the second shaft is achieved simply by closing a circuit with the contact 34 in the units counter 20 during 180 of rotation of the irst shaft 3| and the third solenoid coil 4U is energized for one-twentieth the rotation of the third shaft 3| in the same way.

A feature of the invention is the concept of using three segments in cooperation with the contact 34 in the units counter 2!) instead of a single segment thus to make possible what may be termed an electrical shift of 36 when desired in the timing of the energization of the 10s solenoid. coil 43 relative to the rotation of the units shaft 3|. For this purpose the central segment 35 cooperating with the contact 34 has a circumferential extent of 144 and each of the two adjacent contacts 35 and 31 cover an addtional 36 or one-tenth of a revolution of the units shaft 3l.

During normal operation of the units counter 20 in the range of positive values of the variable that is to be computed, the segment 35 is electrically connected to the segment 36 in the units counter 2!! to make up the required 130 and such electrical connection may be permanent if the computing device is to be used only for posi'- tive values of the variable. In the range of operation for negative values of the variable, however, the segment 31 instead of the segment 35 is connected with the segment 35 to make up the required 1300, the result being an electrical shift of 36. To make such a shift possible without the use of special moving parts within the structure cf the counter1 assembly, a suitabie external switching means is employed, the switching means in this instance being an electrical relay that will be described later. The segment 35 and the segment 32' are connected to the external relay by wires 55 and 56 respectively, the intersegment connection being completed by a wire 51 from the previousiy mentioned wire 5| to the relay.

In the arrangement just described the contact 34 and the cooperating segments 35, 35, and 3.1

-afoeoraso 'constitute'a rotary switchandthe external relay -is ai second' switchl that shifts-the 1 point of'- opersegment 36-bya wire 5S andv the segment 3l in the` tensl counter has-'no function'. With each of the contacts 3d connected 4to ground by a wire SB; itis apparent -how the circuits are completed to energize the solenoid-coilsjli. Y n

A feature of the present preferred form of the 'inventionis the concept of using less than half the range of operation of the highest order counter forpositive values of the variable to be 'computed and less than the remaining half of the range of Yoperation for negative values of the variable. A suicient number ofA counters are assembled together to make this possible, only three counters being necessary in theI present example to place the maximum contemplated value of the variable within half the range of operation of the highest order counter. The 'purpose in lmind is to use the contact in the highest 'order counter to control Whatever shifts in the operation of the device are required in the transitionfrom positive values to negative values including the previously mentioned 36 shift in the eiectiveness of Vthe contact 34 in the units counter 2Q.

lFor this reason the segment 3S in the highest lorder counter 22 is shown connected to a wire v[il leading tothe exterior of the mechanism and the segment V35 is permanently connected with the segment 36, the segment 31 having no function.

Figure 9 shows agroupfof ten wires, generally designated 64,-extending to the exterior of the device from the segments 21 in the units counter 2D, a similar group of ten wires, generally designated 65, from the segments 2l of the 10s counter 2l, and a third group of ten wires, generally vdesignated B5, from the third counter 22, the purpose of the three groups being to control a suitable Visible signal system such as a bank of lamps representing digits of totalizing numerals. Such signal lamps may be connected to one side of' a suitable source of current, the other side of the source'being grounded to complete the required circuits.

In like manner Figure 9 shows a group of ten Wires, generally designated El, extending to the exteriorof the device from the ten segments 2E of the rst counter 2B. A similar group of ten Wires, generally designated S8, extending to the exterior from the contacts 25 of the second counter 2l, andy a third group of ten wires, generally designated 69, from the third counter 22, theselast three groups of Wire being connected together as shown and connected to a suitable recording system for printing or otherwise recording the derived values of the variable that is being computed.

The recording circuits of the recording system are completed through the unit counter 2i] by a Wire 'ID from the recording system connected to the ring contact 33, the associated contact 32 being connected to the contact 29 as shown. In like manner a Wire 'll from the recording system is connected to the contact ring 33 of the 10s Vcounter 2| and a third wire 'i2 is connected to Athe contact ring 33 of the counter 22. Thus a `circuit from the external recording system through'the Wire AHiwill ascertain What digit is to be used inthe units order of the totalizing numeral, a circuit throughthe Wire 'Hwill'ascertain the 10s digitand the Wire 'I2Y will ascertain the 100s digit for the totalizing numeral to be made of record. The 'Wires '10, 'Il and 12 lead to corresponding terminals on Vthe exterior of the device, which terminals are represented by the three Wire ends in Fig. 9. These'three terminals are connected to three corresponding switches in the recording system (not shown) that are closed one at a time to record the three orders of digits. Thus closing a switch to energize wire 'm while Wires 'H and l2` are not energized will cause the units counter to energize one of the Wires 61 to signal the units digit to the recording system; energizing Wire 1I alonesignals the 10s digit: and energizing the Wire I2/alone signals the 100s digit.

Mechanical structure of the assembly' of counters A feature of the structure now to be described is the fabrication of counters in the form of standard units that are inter-changeable andare adapted to be assembled together and inter-connected to Vmake a bank or assembly of any number of units to handle any desired maximum totalizing numeral. Thus the counters 20,2l, and 22 in the bank or assembly Vof counters in YFigures 1 and 2 areall identical in structure.

In the present form of the inventionieach of the counters has a cylindrical casingrl that is formed with two end flanges 16. As viewed from the end of the assembly, for example in FigureB, each of the end nanges 1s has the'conngurstion of a square of the same width as the diameter of the casing, thusV providing four Aflange Vcorners at each joint of the assembly. Suitable machine screws 'Vl extend into bores '18;in the flange corners to hold theassembly together. Eachof the cylindrical casings 'l5 is providedr with aser-ies of perioheral windows 19 as shown in Figure 1 for making the numerous required connections with external wiring, suchwiring Vbeing omitted rom Figure 1 for the sake of clarity `of illustraion.

The units end of the bank of counters is covered by an end cap, generally designated f 80, with an end flange 81, Vin which end'cap the previously mentioned input shaft 25 is mounted by a suitable ball bearing generally Vdesignated 82. The opposite end of the assembly is closed by la blank cap 84 of similar coniiguration.

Fixedly mounted on the inner end of the input shaft 25 is a commutator disc 85 for cooperation with the previously mentioned contact, 42 that controls energize-tion of the units solenoid coil-40. The contact i2 is in the form of a pin with a head 8B that is slidinglymounted in san insulating sleeve 81 in the end cap 8l), the contact being continuously urged toward the commutator disc 85 by a compressed coiled spring. As shown in Figure 5 the metal commutator disc S5 has ten equally spaced inserts 9i! 'of non-conducting material so that the metal of the commutator disc between the inserts serves as the previously mentioned ten grounded contacts El inthefcircuit for energizing the'rst'solenoid coilll. f A suitable pin 92 extending fromthe commutator disc 85 into a bore S3 in a gear i6 may serve as means'to operatively connect the input shaft 25 vv1th the units counter shaft 31,the gear t6 being xedly mounted cn the end of the 'shaft' 3l. The teeth of the gear-46 have no function inthe 9 units counter 20, but as will be apparent, such teeth are necessary in the other counters.

The xed internal structure inside each of the counters includes four members of cylindrical cross-sectional coniiguration, namely: a 4metal block 96 having a bearing 91 to support one end of the shaft 3|; a cylinder 98 of non-conducting material in which are embedded the numerous segments of the counter; a cylindrical housing 9! for the solenoid coil 40; and, nally, a second metal block in which is mounted a second bearing |0| to support the second end of the shaft 3|. These four members are conned longitudinally between a pair of retaining rings |02 that seat in inner circumferential grooves |03 and the four are held in alignment against rotation by a suitable key in the form of a long pin |04 that seats in a keyway |05. The metal block 36 has a longitudinal bore |06 which has no function in the units counter 20.

The shaft 3| of each counter is slidingly mounted in its two bearings 91 and ||i| for a short range of longitudinal reciprocation and when the corresponding solenoid core 40 is deenergized the shaft is in a rightward position as shown in Figure 2. The shaft is urged to its rightward position by a suitable coil spring |l0 under compression between the bearing 91 and the gear 45 on the end of the shaft, the rightward shaft being limited by a xed ring |01 on the shaft moving against the shaft bearing ||l|. When the solenoid coil 40 is energized it magnetically attracts a conical armature that is xedly mounted on the shaft 3|, thereby shifting the shaft longitudinally to the left as viewed in Figure 2, the magnetic force being sufficient to overcome the resistance of the spring ||0.

The second end of each shaft 3| iixedly carries the previously mentioned small gear 43 in the train of gears that operatively connects each counter with the adjacent counter of higher order. As shown in Figure 2 the small gear 43 in the units counter is secured to the shaft 3| by a pin I I2 and the gear 44 with which it meshes is supported by a pivot pin 3 seated in the previously mentioned bore |06 in the metal block 96 of the tens counter 2|. In the particular construction shoWn, the small gear 45 is mounted directly on the pivot pin ||3 and has a tubular extension ||4 on which the gear 44 is lxedly mounted. The gear 45 meshes with the gear 46 on. the shaft 3 I.

Fixedly mounted on each shaft 3| is a contact assembly including a body ||6 of non-conducting material which, as best shown in Figure 4, is hollowed out to receive the free ends of a pair of conducting leaf springs I 1 and I8. Each of the leaf springs I|1 and ||8 has its base portion anchored to the body I6 by suitable screws ||9 and each of the leaf springs is formed with two arms or free ends as shown in Figure 2. The two free ends of the leaf spring ||1 carry the previously mentioned contacts 29 and 32 which are in the form of contact pins slidingly mounted in the body H0. Thus the leaf spring ||1 serves as an insulated conductor for inter-connecting the two contacts 29 and 32.

In like manner the second leaf spring ||8 on its two free ends carries the contacts and 34 which are also in the form of contact pins slidingly mounted in the body I6. A suitable wire |20 connects the second leaf spring I|8 with a screw |2| that anchors the body I l5 on the shaft 3| thereby grounding the two contacts 30 and 34 as required by the wiring diagram in Figure 9.

Figures 6, 7, and 8 reveal the construction of the various segments that are embedded in the non-conducting cylinder 93. r:The contact ring 33 that cooperates with the contact pin 32 has a smooth interior surface along which the contact pin 32 moves and is shown with ten radial projections |23 that extend to the ten windows 13 of the counter casing 15 so that the contact ring may be wired to the exterior through any one of the windows. Each of the ten segments 26 is a metal body of the configuration shown with a radial projection |23 for wiring access through the corresponding window of the counter casing 15 and has `an inner surface in the path oi" movement of the contact pin 23.

It will be noted that with respect to the circumferential direction of travel of the contact 29, each of the segments 26 overlaps the next adjacent segment. Thus, as indicated in Figures 'l and 8, an end portion |24 of one segment 26 extends alongside a corresponding end portion |24 of the next adjacent segment 26 so that the circumerentially traveling contact 2S may move from the area of one contact to the area of another contact by a lateral snap movement.

The segments 21 in the non-conducting cylinder 38 are constructed and arranged in the same manner as the segments 26 for cooperation with the contact pin 30. Each of the two segments 35 and 31 in the path of the contact pin 34 are of the same configuration and construction as the contacts 25 and 21. The segment 36 which extends over 144 and combined with either the segment 35 or the segment 31 to cover 180 has a plurality of the radial projections |23 to permit an external wiring connection through any one of four windows 13 in the counter casing 15 and has end portions |24 to overlap the end portions |24 of the two segments 35 and 31 as may be readily understood from an inspection of the diagram in Figure 8.

Simple operation of the invention for positive values exclusively The assembly of counters as described to this point and Wired as indicated in Figure 9 may be used for computations where all of the values of the variable are positive. It is to be remembered that the segment 35 in the units counter 20 is electrically connected to the segment 3S so that the two segments function as one continuous 180 segment. The digits represented by the various contacts 26 and 21 in the three counters are designated by numerals adjacent the contacts in Figure 9.

It will be noted that the segment 35 coversA the same range of rotation as the digit 5 segments 26 and 21; that the segment 36 covers exactly the range of four successive segments 2S and 21 corresponding to digits 6, 7, 8 and 9, and that the segment 31 corresponds exactly to the zero value segments 25 and 21. When only positive values are desired, the full range of operation is available and the full cycle can be repeated indefinitely. Furthermore, since an external relay is not used for counting in the positive range, segments 35 and 36 may be permanently wired together if the device is to be used for positive values only.

As the special segments 4| are moved past the stationary contact 42 by rotation of the input shaft 25, the circuit through the rst solenoid coil 40 in the units counter 20 is opened and closed ten times in the course of each rotation of the shaft 3| in the unit counter with the result that the shaft 3| carrying the four contacts 20, 30, 32,

"i1 and34 iskreciprocated ten times, these'parate axial movements of the shaft being separated by 1/20 of a rotation of the shaft,

As maybev seen in Figure 8', the movement of a contact relative to a segment, may be divided into fourstages starting at the point Where the contact has first entered the area f the segment by "Ia lateral snapmOVement. In the rst stage a, starting inthe end portion |24 of the segment, the solenoid coil S9 is energized to hold the shaft 3| inhitsY leftward position as viewed in theY draw- Ving. Stage b of' the path is the snap action that noccurs under the compulsion of the shaftspring |||i when the solenoid coil 4U is de-energized by the commutator wheel V85. `Stage c of the path is advance movement of the contact to the point where the solenoid `coil is again energized lat `which point the contact traces stage dof the'path Vby snapping laterally from the endportion |26 of `tl1e` segment'to the adjacentend portion IM of thenext succeeding segment/25. u The direction of contact travel in Figure9 for increasing positivel valuesof' the variable'is from top to bottom. When the contacte@ in the units Y comiterrst'snaps'into the area oi segment 35,

the solenoid coil iii) ofy thegls'counter is energizedfto cause all of the contacts in the lOs cc'iunter to snap laterally. Segments 35 and 3S of Y' the'unit's counter are interconnected to function "fas one continuous 180?V segment so the fourconftacts-ofthe lCs counter continue to advance without'change in'direction until the contact 3ft f of the 'units counter jumps laterally away'from the segment', whereupon the solenoid coil of the iOs counter isde-energizedl to permit the Aspring I'U in the`10s`counter to shift all ofthe contacts; this-return spring actuated movement being within the 'area' of segments and not across theboun'da'ry linesbet'wenl segments. v

` The solcalled cascade YVa'ctin'in which `the various solenoid coils 40 in the'counter'assembly 'fare'alutoniatically'fenergized'inv proper sequence may be understood from the vforegoing discussion. z Energizationof lthe nrst solenoid c oil di! by the f action*ottheconimutator disc 85 is requiredor 'the'snap actionfthat shifts'ltheW unitslcontact 3d laterally'ontov-the units segment `35 to energize the lsect'jr'id solenoid coil nd!! in thefcounter Aassembly "and lin-vthe'sar-n'e way energizationof-the third vs olenoid'co'il" is vconsequent to energizaticn of theseoond solenoid coil.

*Wiring-diagram for operation in *both positive vand' negative ranges While ine-wiring indicated in Figure 9 is'dequate'when' onlyV positive `valuesV are computed a is--shoWn in Eigur'es 1 0a, 10b', and 10c combined 'as indicatedin Figure 10. u Y l l Figure c shows the segmentsl 26- Qf the three `counters withl their digit values in the positive "rangeshown'by-gures adjacent the segments and their "digit -values in' the negative range shown' 'in'parritheses when' cperaurreiiiersihe range of negative' 'values' 'of tnefvariablefto 'be computed. 'Circuitsjthrough' the ten Wires'v I2? @are completedby the previously nintion'edwires foi signal"larnps. ".Fl'iepositive' set of 'lamps coin- Ipris'es' arow of ten 'lamps' |23 for the" units digits, a row of'ten'flanipsi |,29'fo1'10s digitsand a'row of 5 lamps 'laufior icos digitsyihenegaiive'sei YVco'n'iprises V"a" row 'o f "10 [lamps I v I y"repres'eri'tin'g units digits, a row of 10 lampsfll lrepres'entir'ig lGsv digits; and a' rowV of 5 "lamps lI SSrepiesenting 1'00s digits. The contactsZTare connected to the positive signal lamps incorrect 'Vorder' with means provided to' shift their co'nnectionstolthe g negative lamps Vwhenever operation' enters" the negativerange 'of values 'of the variable. y

In the presentpreferred form 'of'thenve'ntion all `ofjthe shifts 'and changes that 'must' be iade in the `adjustment of `'the device when' 'operation crosses the boundary between' negative 'and -posij' tive'jvalues 'of'` the' variable',l areY perfo'rin'eclV automatically iby` suitable relays under vcontrol :of l the IO-OsA corunter'jZZ. For this'purpose Figurel'I'Oc includes la 21"'-pole"doublefthrowirelay actuated by a relay' coil |35. Thelrelay'iss'hotvnas"'de energized to position'itsfZlpoles`for operation intherange of positivev values. ,"Gne' side of the re1aycoil'I35'is connected 'byaiwire 35 to'a suitable vso'urceof vcurrent `and theother side lis l"connected'by avvire` |31 to the twdsegrnen'ts'S and 3S inthe 100s counter 22 as indicated inFigure 9. Thisexternal relay' isenergized when the last -lOOs decade tries lto go 'from zero back to 999, in othei` words, the cascade eiect continues through the last decadeand thence to relay instead-of another decade. n i

The uppermost relay pole lIt!! is used to indicatefto Vtherecording system when the values transmitted over the group ofwiresV IZIare negative values. Vl'/'henever the device enter-s the range ofv negative valuesuof the variablefenergization of the relay' coil I 35 causes the pole |49 to swing from the position 1shown in VFigure 10c to its 'alternate position thereby closing a'circuit through the Itwo wires IM to the recording system.

'Sincethe'segnients'Z inthe lOOs counter and the Asegments Z in fthe lOs counter havev the same sequences of positive and negative digit values, a group often 'wires, generallyA designated I in Figure' 10c.v vfrom the 1005 counter is'sh'own connected-directlyto a corresponding group of `ten wires, generally-designated |43, 'from the loolsv'con'nter. Each of the ten-wires |i3has two branches "and these20 branches are distributed ain'ongthe- 2'0 contacts associated with the'next ten poles-generally designated I'ili, of the 21- pole relay. Y Y I v VIn the de-energ'ized positions of the'tenpoles its, shown in Figure 10c, iheeoniaciszs i-ihe liOOis and 10s counters are thusconnected'in theirpositive se'qu'e'nce'to" the group ofV ten wires 701m reading to the recorder. Energizaiionf' the relay coil |35 swings the ten poles I d4 to their alternate positions thereby conneetingthe SegmentsA 26 of the ls'conter and 10s counter tothe wires' |21"in the: sequence of the'negative digital values of ithe segments. As previously exshown` byguresJ jin'parentheses. 'All thirty of the "segments'zin-Figure 110e are'intended to be connected ink their proper order' toa' groupof ten *wiresfgenerally designated IZ'I leading to the `frecordingjsystem, and, of course,'the'order in "which -theiseginents 26 are 'conn'ecti-z'dv to the ten ""wiresfwill change in" accord -with the'digit values 75 plained, the wires 19, 1| and '|2 of Figure 2 are energized one at a time in sequence by switches in the recording system, so that the wires |27 may be used rst to signal the units digit to the recording system, then the lOs digit, and finally the 100s digit. This sequence may be carried out with high rapidity.

The next pole |66 in Figure 10c is the previously mentioned relay from which the wires 55, 56, and 51 extend to the segments 35, 3l, and 36 respectively of the counter as shown in Figure 9 to crea-te the previously mentioned electrical shift of 36 at the boundary point between positive and negative values of the variable. In the de-energized state of the relay coil |35 the pole |46 interconnects wires 55 and 5l, as shown in Figure 10c, thereby connecting segment 35 to segment 36 in the units counter. When the relay coil |35 is energized, the pole |46 swings to its second position for the negative range of values, in which position the wire 56 is connected to the wire 51 thereby inter-connecting segments 36 and 3l' in the units counter 2B.

The function of the next eight poles, generally designated |46, is to shift the order in which the segments 26 of the units counter 29 are connected to the ten wires |21 when operation of the device crosses the boundary between positive and negative values. Only 8 poles are required for this purpose because the digital values and 5 do not change and, therefore, the corresponding segments are directly connected to the group of wires |21. Each of the remaining 8 wires, generally designated |59, from the segments 26 in the units counter has two branches, the sixteen branches being distributed among the contacts for the 8 poles |56. In the de-energized positions of the poles |36, shown in Figure 10c, the 8 segments 2t are electrically connected to the corresponding wires |50 in their positive sequence and in the alternate energized positions of the 8 poles |48 the wires are connected in their negative sequence.

The last pole of the 21-pole relay is connected to a suitable source of current by a wire |52 and swings from a de-energized position closing a circuit through a wire |53 as shown in Figure c to an alternate energized position to close a circuit through a second wire |54. As shown in Figure 10b, the wire |53 is connected to one side of all of the positive signal lamps |28, |29, and |39 and the wire |54 is connected to one side of all the negative signal lamps |3|, |32, and |33.

Figures 10a and 10b together show how the various segments 2l of the three counters are connected to the various positive and negative signal lamps. The segments 27 of the units counter are connected by a group of ten wires |51 to the corresponding positive lamps |28 and are connected by a second group of ten wires |58 to the row of units lamps |3| in the negative set, the connections being made according to the correct positive and negative digital sequences of the contacts 2l. In like manner the segments 21 in the lOs counter are connected by a group of ten wires, generally designated |59, to the positive row of 10s lamp |29 and are inter-connected by a second group of ten wires, generally designated l69, to the negative row of 10s lamps |32.

The segments 2l of the lOOs counter are divided into two groups. The segments having positive digit values from G to 4 are connected by a group of 5 wires, generally designated |6l, to the corresponding row of 5 positive lamps |99 and the other ive segments representing negative digit values from 0 to 4 are connected by a second group of five wires, generally designated |62, to the ve negative s lamps |33.

Operation through both positive and negative ranges of value `The operation of the described device in the range of positive values of the variable to be computed has already been explained. Of interest now is what occurs automatically when the value of the variable drops to zero and enters the negative range of computation.

As the count descends the scale to 001 and on down to 000 the various contacts merely retrace their paths and nothing happens in the external relay system until the next step in which the units counter drops to 9 which in turn drops the lOs counter to 9 and then the 100s counter to 9. This cascade action in which the 9s appear is only momentary because it results in the contact 34 in the 100s counter snapping into the area of the segment 36 to energize the external relay coil |35, whereupon the relay action shifts the numbers to read minus G01.

The shift is caused by the following relay actions: relay pole |49 closes the circuit to the recording system that indicates that the values are now to be recorded in the negative range; the ten poles |64 and the eight poles |48 shift their positions to connect the various segments 26 of the three counters to the recorder in sequence of their negative digit values; the pole |5| shifts to energize the negative value signal lamps; and the relay pole |46 shifts to disconnect the segment 35 in the units counter from the segment 36 and instead to connect the segment 3'! to the segment 36.

When the value or" the variable being computed shifts back from the negative range -to the positive range the relay coil |35 will again be deenergized to shift all the relay poles to their normal positions for positive values.

Although the now preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto, for it is susceptible to changes in form and detail within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A computing device of the character described having in combination: a master member for movement in accord with changes in the values of a. variable that is to be computed; a nrst electrical means having a series of equally dimensioned and equally spaced insulated segments arranged in a line, each of said segments having portions spaced laterally from the two adjacent segments whereby the segments overlap with respect to the direction of said line; a second electrical means having a contact to cooperate with said line of segments, one of said electrical means being operatively connected with said master member for movement relative to the other electrical means to cause said contact to move along said line; and automatic means operatively connected to one of said electrical means to cause lateral movement of said contact relative to the direction of said line at a predetermined point along each or said segments. thereby to cause the contact to snap from one segment to another to avoid pause of the contact between two segments.

2. A computing device as set forth in claim l which includes means to cause opposite lateral Ithat' 'are-'interlockd VVfor operationat different rates "corresponding to multiples vof the number of saidsegments in eachf pair, and fin which said "automatic meanslis-responsive--to the' operation or theA pair Voperating at the next higher rate.

651A lcormmnngfeevieeas ser forth 4in claim 5' infwhich said-automatic V'means f is controlledby a v"switch operated'by4k said next higherfratepain 7; A" computing device vof -the character` de- V"scribed having in combination :1 a'masterlmember for movement in opposite'directions frornbazero "refe-rence pointin `accord I withA changes-impositive vand negative-values off a variable; al` rst step- "byestep counter comprising a circular series` of i' agiven 'number of insulated-segmentsiand a' con- *tact 'to'traverse said `series by relative motion inv V"response tol movementy of said 'master'member Vv"at least -oneY additional similar -steplby-step *countercombined 'with said first counter to -orm 'Ya-banker counters corresponding tointegers of "'diierentordersin a summationnumeral, saidf:

countersbeing"interlocked for operation at rates "-varying` progressively fas-multiples vof said given number, with the counter of the lowest order operating -at the highest'rate; means' responsive to operation vof -thelowest order counter' toa given point inits cycle: to causethe Contactin" the nextl higher`=orderfcounterto snap from? one vof its coacting segments tov another Ato avoidpause #between segments #andi means to's'hift said point 1in the cyclelinfone direction by'ionez' step'of the 'f lowest. order counter in response to movementof f= saidfmaster Vrnernber across said' zero 'pointfin Aone direction and to shift said point onefstep vrinthe opposite direction in` response to-`movement of the master member oppositelyV acrossethe `zero `v i point.

8v. A computing device-assetforthinclaim "l Iin which said nshift is controlled. byfmeans respon- L sive tothe highest order counter inthe A bank.

5793A computing-device as set'orth in claim-'LV in which said snappingmeans is controiledfby a dirst switch 4means operatedV byv the` lowest order counter and in which a--second switch means operated bythe highest order counter shftsthe l point of operation ofthe rst switch'means oneM step in thecycleof operation of said rst counter. `l lA computing `device of the lcharacter! def-sc'ribedhaving in combination: a mastenmember -forvmov'ement in'oppositedirections froma l zeroY reference point in accord `with changesl in:` between -vsegmentsg a transitionA switch movable -Abetween twoalternate positions -to ymahesaidtwo positive and negative valuesof a variable; aiirst step-by-step counter comprising-.a 'circulan sefries of a given number of insulated segmentsand a contact to traverse said series by: relative mo- `Ntion inresponseto movement-of said master member; -at least one additional f similar step-by-step countercombined with'said first counter-to form a bank of counters corresponding to integersfof "diierent ordertin a summationf-numeral, 1said counters-being interlocked for-operation at rates `vr`varying'progressively ras '.nlultiplesl ofsaidfgiven number with lthe counteriof.the. lowest lorderiop- Jeratingatfthe highest rate ;f.a1 circular switch operatively; connected I'With the'llowesty orderrcoun- '-ter; Vsaid'switchhaving a switchcontactand-two fcircurhferentia'lly:spaced segments lforalternate cooperation with said switch contact; means=re :spon'sive'ltolsaid'switch to cause 'the'conta'ct in the next higher -torder Vcounter-*to jump vfrom one otits coacting segments to another to'avoid pause between `segments ;y and a transition `switchf mov- `i able "between two alternate; positions i to make f said two*:alternateV segments `respectively partsof Vcircuits to? be controlled-'by saidswitchf-contact,

said-transition? switch being responsive to: movezment' of said'master memberv across saidezero 1 point to rcause .the :point rof operation 4'oisaid lcirfcular-switch'to shiftvin the cyclev of op'eration --off said lowest order counter "Whenever said vari- -able changes in value from `negative'. torposiftive V'- orfvice versa.

11: A computing device'as-set forth 4in clainrlO in which said transition switch is operated bythe 1 highest Vorder counter.

H12.- .LAcomputingdevicelas-set forth in claim 10 Y in which said circular switch `includes a-long-seg ment of circumferential extentone step'less than H180 ofv rotation-fandfsaid two circumferentially v spaced segments are-adjacent opposite endstof .-extent'so that'either Ione combined with the consaid-long-segment and-are .reach of one step Ain tinuously Yeffective segment covers 180" of vrotation.

13. A computing device as-set forth in` claim 7 -highest order counter/,and 'shifts Athe point `of operation of the Iirstf switch means one step. in

the. cycle of `operation of-said first counter.

-14. A Icomputing Ydevice vof fthe character f described having in combination: a mastermember for ymovement in opposite-directions from a AzeroAV reference-point-in accord --With v changes in positive and negativevalues of` a -variable;.a rst step-by-step. counter comprising a y circularseries ofl a given` number-.of ,insulated segments and .a Contact to traverse'said series by relative .motion Y in response to movement' -of Y. saidfmaster- :mem-

fber f at least one additional similarA step-.by-step counter combined with said first counter to form a bank of counters .corresponding to. integers Jof different order in a summation numeral, said counters being-interlocked `for operation at rates varying. progressively as multiples ofY ysaid 4given numberiwiththe counter oi the .lowest order op- -Yeratingfat-fthe highest rate ;V Va circular switch .operatively connected with .the lowestorder counterf said switch Lhavinga switch contact andtwo lthe ,next higher :order counter to -Ajump iromrone of its coacting-segments to` another to' avoidlpause alternate-segments respectively Aparts' of circuits to be v controlled l vby A: said switch contact, said transition switch beingresponsive to. the Vhighest order counter -tocause the pointiofoperation of said circular/switch.tosshift in the cycle of operation of l said lowest order counter whenever said variable ychanges-inwalue from. negative toflpositive-andvice versa; a plurality of conductors yfor electrical4 connection with said segments tor receiveY signals therefrom indicative of values of said variable; and switch means having oneposition interconnecting said: segments and conductors for indicating positive values and a second position interconnecting said segments and conductors for indicating negative values, said switch means being responsive to the highest order counter for operationvwhen said member moves past said` zero point'.

15;. A computing device of the character described having in combination: a master member for movement in oppositedirections from a zero reference point in accordv with changes in positive and negative values of a variable; a first step-by-step counter comprising a circular series of a given number of insulated segments and a contact to traverse said series by relative motion in response to movement of said master member; at least one additional similar step-by-step counter combined with, said rst counter to form a bank of counters corresponding t integers of different order in a summation numeral, said counters being interlocked for operation at rates varying progressively as multiples of said given number with the counter of the lowest order operating at the highest rate; a circular switch operatively connected with the lowest order counter, said switch having a switch contact and two circumferentially spaced segments for alternate cooperation with said switch contact; means responsive to said switch to cause the contact in the next higher order counter to jump from one of its coaoting segments to another `to avoid pause between segments; a transition switch movable between two alternate positions to make said two alternate segments respectively parts of circuits to be controlled by said switch contact, said transition switch being responsive to highest order counter to cause the point of operation of said circular switch to shift in the cycle of operation of said lowest order counter Whenever said variable changes in value from nega-tive to positive and vice versa; means to indicate positive values of said variable including a rst plurality of conductors connected with said segments to receive signals therefrom indicative of the positive values of said variable; means to indicate negative values of said variable including a second plurality of conductors connected with said segments to receive signals therefrom indicative of negative values of said variable; and switch means having one position to complete circuits including said rst plurality of conductors and a second position to complete circuits including said second plurality of conductors, said switch means being responsive to the highest order counter for operation when said member moves past said zero point.

16. A computing device of the character described having in combination: a master member for movement in opposite directions from a zero reference point in accord with changes in positive and negative values of a variable; a bank of step-by-step counters corresponding to integers of different orders in a summation numeral, said counters being operated by said master member and being interlocked for operation at diiierent rates in accord with their different orders; means cooperating with each of said counters to introduce a snap action in the step-to-step advance of each counter to avoid pause between steps, each of said cooperating means higher than the lowest 4order being responsive to the snap action of the next lower order when the lower order counter completes a cycle, whereby the counters snap in sequence with a cascade action from the lowest order to the highest when the completion of, a cycle by the lowest order counter completes cycles of the other counters up to the highest order; and means responsive to said cascade action in the region of zero value of the variable to shift the order of the numeralsv indicated by the specific steps of the counters when operation of the counters shifts from the positive range of values to the negative range and vice versa.

17. A computer of the character described, including: a series of similar rotary counters constructed as separate units to be operatively connected together end to end coaxially to represent the integers of a number, each of said counters having a given number of segments and a cooperating contact with external terminals for electrical connection with the segments and contacts, each of said counters except one end counter having gearing for change in speed ln accord with said given number as a factor, one of the end counters being adapted for external actuation to follow the changing values of a variable to be measured, each of said counters including electro-magnetic means to cause relative movement of its contact from segment to segment to occur with a snap action to prevent pause between segments; and an additional set of segments with cooperating contact to control the electro-magnetic means of the end counter that it externally actuated, each of the electro-magnetic means of the successive counters beyond the last mentioned end counter being energized by the preceeding counter; and means responsive to the highest order counter to shift the point in the cycle of the lowermost counter at which the snap action occurs in the next to lowest counter whenever the value of said variable changes from negative to positive and vice versa.

18. A computing device of the character described having in combination; a master member for movement in opposite directions from a zero reference point in accord with changes in positive and negative values of a variable; a first stepby-step counter comprising a circular series of a given number of insulated segments and a contact to traverse said series by relative motion in response to movement of said master member; at least one additional similar step-by-step counter combined with said first counter to form a bank of counters corresponding to integers of different orders in a summation numeral, said counters being interlocked for operation at rates varying progressively as multiples of said given number, with the counter of the lowest order operating at the highest rate; means responsive to operation of the lowest order counter to a given point in its cycle to cause the contact in the next higher order counter to snap from one of its coacting segments to another to avoid pause between segments; means to shift said point in the cycle in one direction by one step of the lowest order counter when lsaid master member moves across said zero point in one direction and one step in the opposite direction when the master member moves oppositely across the zero point; a plurality of conductors for electrical connection with said segments to receive signals ltherefrom indicative of values of said variable; switch means having one position interconnecting said segments and conductors for indicating positive Values and a second position interconnecting said segments and conductors for indicating negative values; and electromagnetic means operatively connected with said shifting means and said last mentioned switch for operation thereof in response to movement of said master member across said zero point.

19. A computing device as set forth in claim tegers, each of said counters having a given number of segments and a Contact movable relative to the givennumber of Segments, each of said counters having an external terminal for each of said segments and an external terminal for said cooperating contact, each of said counters including an electromagnetic means to cause relative movement `of the contact from segment to seg-, ment to occur with a snap action to prevent pause between segments, each of said counters except one end counter having gearing eiective forchange in speed in accord with said given number as a factor, one of the end counters being adapted for external actuation to follow the change in values of a variable to be measured.

21. A computing device as set forth in claim 20 in which each of said counters includes electromagnetic means to cause the relative movement of its contact from segment to segment to occur with a snap action to prevent pause between segments.

: 22. A computing device as set forth in claim 21 in which said segments overlap with respect to the rotary direction of operation and said electromagnetic means causes relative movement between the contact and the segments longitudinally of the counter to snap the contact from a portion of one segment to an overlapping portion of the next succeeding segment.

RALPH E. BROWN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,207,743 Larson et al July 16, 1940 2,496,585 Harper Feb. 7, 1950 2,551,093 Bryce et al May 1, 1951 2,585,685 Roggenstein et al. Feb. 12, 1952 

